Xtra Time Web Desk: A sensational 34 ball 64 by Rohit Sharma and a master class (80* off 52 balls) from India captain Virat Kohli powered India to a 36 runs victory over England in the deciding T20I against England at Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. Sent in to bat, India posted a massive 224 for two, their best-ever total against England. In reply, Jos Buttler (52 off 34) and Dawid Malan (68 off 46) kept India on the edge with a threatening 130-run stand but England’s challenged fizzled with the fall of the wicketkeeper-batsman in the 13th over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Eoin Morgan’s side eventually ended at 188 for eight as they lost the match by 36 runs.
Medium pacer Bhuvneshwar was impressive in his comeback series and saved his best for the decider to end with two wickets for 15 runs in four overs. Apart from Bhuvneshwar’s successful return from injury, the big plus for India was the emergence of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. Hardik Pandya was back to bowling regularly, marking another positive for Kohli’s team which proved in the series that it can win while chasing as well as batting first.
Earlier, preparing themselves for success in all conditions ahead of the World Cup, India thrived under the pressure of a series-decider to produce their batting performance of the series.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood had troubled the Indians with their extra pace in earlier games but Rohit and Kohli sent them to the cleaners on way to their 94-run stand off 54 balls.
The other major contributions came from Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 17 balls) and Hardik Pandya (39 not out off 17 balls).The hosts hammered 67 runs in the last five overs to give the innings a perfect finish.
Barring Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid, all England bowlers leaked more than 10 runs per over with Chris Jordan (0/57) being the most expensive.
India decided to drop opener K L Rahul to accommodate an extra bowling option in left-arm pacer T Natarajan for the all important game. India captain Virat Kohli moved himself up the order to open with Rohit, a move that worked wonders.
The focus now shifts to the three match ODI series which will be played at Pune.
With Inputs from PTI